The “Xacus Gusto” project and the Fondazione ABA: a year later

The “Xacus Gusto” project was founded in 2015 and thanks to the hard work of Michelin star chefs such as Massimo Bottura, Antonino Cannavacciuolo, Ernesto Iaccarino and Pietro Leemann, it has created an exclusive capsule collection of shirts inspired by culinary creations.The collection received its world preview at the Expo 2015 in Milan and then at the different editions of Pitti Immagine Uomo in Florence. In the same year, a limited edition of the new line was sold in some of Italy’s top stores and in 2016, the profits were donated to the Fondazione ABA, set up in Milan in 2002 to study, research and treat the problems of eating disorders.

Xacus camicie met with the founder of ABA, Fabiola De Clercq.

WE MET UP A YEAR AGO FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE “XACUS GUSTO” PROJECT. WHAT ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOLLOWING OUR COLLABORATION?Thanks to the money raised by the “Xacus Gusto” project, ABA has been able to invest new resources and energy into two projects that are very dear to us. We have resumed publication of ABA News, our scientific magazine that aims to inform and raise awareness about eating disorders. Every magazine has new articles by our specialists and dedicates a space to patients and families who would like to share their experience.We have also been able to start a research project that has involved therapists and patients from all ABA centres within Italy. This survey is ongoing and aims to examine the relationship between family and eating disorder, which is essential to understand the problem and to intervene in a more dedicated manner. This is why we get families of patients with eating disorders to be as involved as possible. Communication is often difficult between parents and children and an eating disorder is often a means to communicate a problem.

HAS THE “XACUS GUSTO” PROJECT HELPED TO CONVEY ABA’S VALUES BETTER?By publishing “Tutto il pane del mondo”, which I wrote in 1990, it was finally possible to give a name to a problem that was little known but incredibly widespread. Loneliness and the fear of being judged was preventing people from getting help. A lot of progress has been made since then, raising awareness and informing people in order to prevent this problem. The contribution of four important names in the food world together with Xacus Camicie has been a precious help in spreading our message.

ABA TODAY: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ASSOCIATION IN THREE WORDS?ABA today is the same ABA as it has always been. We are about listening, care, and home. That is what makes us special.“ABA means home” is what one of our patients wrote on a board in the waiting room. It is a home where people are not only “just their problem” but where they are so much more. ABA is a home where everyone has their own name, their own story and their own needs. Where it is possible to rediscover trust in others, dialogue with those experiencing the same difficulties and feel less alone. Where they can begin to look after themselves and their bodies. Where they can get better.And I would like to thank Xacus again for making it possible to continue on our journey.

From an article published in the June Journal.

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